Faith is part and parcel of life, not simply a religious term without evidence. The world relies on evidence-based trust. Faith is practiced by everyone, everywhere, knowingly and unknowingly, intentionally and unintentionally. As we consider this, we can ask: Why does God value faith so much?
“In life, we can never be 100 % secure of anything, but we can be sure enough to commit.” — Professor John Lennox.
The Importance and Impact of Faith
Faith is one of the greats, but not the greatest, of the three virtues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:13, along with hope and love. Faith in God makes the impossible possible (see Mark 9:23). Faith is both a spiritual currency and a spiritual channel. It is the currency for relating to and transacting with God. It is the channel for accessing an answer.
What Faith Really Means
Faith is a word derived from Latin ‘fides,’ which means fidelity and trust. In religious contexts, it refers to the set of beliefs one holds, representing a system of religious faith. It involves a strong belief in religious doctrines that is rooted in spiritual conviction rather than objective proof. Faith can be subjective when we have put complete trust or confidence in a person, thing, or concept.
The biblical explanation of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1: ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’
In this verse, faith is described in two ways: first, faith is the substance of the things hoped for; and second, faith is the evidence (referring to the actual facts, signs, or indications that support the truth) of things not seen.
We recognize that words like belief, confidence, trust, and hope all refer to the concept of faith.
Faith can be viewed as a spiritual gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit to benefit the church (see 1 Corinthians 12:7, 9). It is also considered part of the fruit of the Spirit, as mentioned in Galatians 5:23, where some translations use terms like “faithfulness,” “fidelity,” or “trustfulness.” The Greek noun used by Paul is pistis.
A simple observation is that faith involves awareness and acknowledgment of God’s existence, along with personal encounters and experiences of God in your life. Faith is expressed in our attitudes and actions. Believing in God, accepting His truth, and acting accordingly demonstrate faith (see James 2:20).
Faith That Pleases God
One key point is that the flesh cannot please God (see Romans 8:5–8). Relying on the flesh — our efforts, good works, wisdom, or networks — to approach or serve God cannot be pleasing to Him. The essential truth is that only faith pleases God. Neither sight nor works, but faith, is what pleases Him.
Before examining Hebrews 11:6, which states that without faith it is impossible to please God, let’s consider the preceding verses that highlight heroes of faith like Abel and Enoch. Abel was accepted by God through faith (see Hebrews 11:4), and Enoch pleased God through faith (see Hebrews 11:5).
Therefore, the core lesson, principle, insight, and truth from these two examples of faith heroes is that without faith, it’s impossible to please God. The following verses continue to name other heroes of faith to reaffirm this truth.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
You cannot please God without faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. With faith, it becomes possible to please God, and through faith, all things are possible. The only way to truly please God is through faith. Ultimately, it is faith alone that pleases God.
Faith causes and compels God to take pleasure in you because of whom the subject of faith is in. The turning point is the subject of faith, not in faith’s power but faith in a person who possesses the power of faith.
Faith is not a magical or powerful force or entity in itself; its true value and potency lie in its subject. Faith pleases God because it rests and relies on Jesus Christ as the One the Father publicly and privately calls and confirms “well pleased.” This happened during Jesus’ public baptism by John (see Matthew 3:17) and again at the Mount of Transfiguration, in private, in the presence of Moses — representing the law — and Elijah — representing the prophets — the old dispensation — and in the presence of Peter, James, and John, who represent the church — the new dispensation.
Christ bridging the gap fulfills the law and brings grace for mankind’s salvation (see Matthew 17:5). Because of who Christ is and His completed work, which God is very pleased with, only through faith in Christ can we be confidently accepted and gain access to God (see Ephesians 3:11–12). This means our acceptance and access to God are through faith in Jesus Christ, not through personal merit, religious effort, or reliance on the flesh. Faith alone does not bring salvation; Christ alone saves, requiring our faith to be placed in Him.
Therefore, it is important that our faith is focused on a person — Christ — rather than on the power or concept of faith. Scripturally defined, spiritual faith is directed toward God through Jesus Christ, not toward an abstract entity.
Faith does not make demands of God; it is about trust and reliance on what God is to us. It does not boast but humbly depends on God, trusting His word and receiving nothing by merit. Faith is a gift that brings honour to God, placing Him above all and attributing to Him everything we are, do, have, and give.
Since Jesus Christ embodies the fullness of grace, here are a few points from Bishop Richard on grace and faith. Faith is not about trying to persuade God to act; rather, it’s our response to what He has already provided through grace. Grace provides the provision, while faith claims it. Everything bestowed by God comes through grace; everything received by humans comes through faith. Grace represents the capacity, and faith is the channel to access — Christ is both the capacity and the channel. Faith signifies complete reliance on God’s grace and goodness, as revealed through Jesus Christ. Thus, both grace and faith are gifts from God.
The reason only faith that pleases God is centred on His Son, Jesus Christ, is because of who He is and what He has done for us. Therefore, faith is about a Who, not a What. It focuses on Jesus, a person who has the power to do anything. Faith is not just about the power itself, but about the one who holds that power. Essentially, faith means you can do nothing apart from the Son of God, Jesus Christ, without whom you cannot come to the God the Father.
Let’s elaborate now on the description of faith in Hebrews 11:6. Two facts about when you come to God by faith, or through faith, or in faith, as stated in Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
1. You must believe that God is. It’s not just about knowing that God exists — He already does. If you don’t believe in God’s existence, you also can’t please Him by faith. It is important to know and understand who God is — His nature, personhood, power, and presence. He is what the Bible declares Him to be — ‘I am what I am,’ the verb ‘to Be,’ the One who was, who is, and who is to come. He is Self-Existent and Self-Sufficient; His existence depends on nothing else. Only God is truly self-existent; He is everything needed to exist, residing entirely within Himself. Human beings, on the other hand, rely on many things outside themselves, most of which we cannot control. God is exactly who He says He is — accept Him on His own terms, based on His revelation.
2. You must believe that God is a rewarder. This reward is not merited — merit gets what is due — merit demands what is due. God does not expect us to seek or have faith in Him in vain without receiving or seeing results in our lives. He is a giver who does not disappoint anyone who approaches Him with faith. God receives those who come to Him by faith. God responds to those who call on Him by faith. God also rewards those who come to Him with faith. These rewards encompass both tangible gifts and intangible blessings, like hope for salvation, eternal life, and a life full of peace and joy. Ultimately, the greatest reward is God Himself, whose acceptance brings satisfaction (see Genesis 15:1). The ultimate expression of God’s gift to us is Christ and His Cross, as Christ came to give abundant life now and eternal life.
Now, how do we go about exercising the faith that pleases God? We need to understand that faith is active, not passive. Our response to God and spiritual matters must be by faith. Therefore, since we must come to God through faith, knowing who He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, this pursuit involves a thirst, a hunger, a yearning, and a longing for God.
We please God through faith by living and walking in faith. Living by faith involves our actions and daily living, as the Scriptures often emphasize that “the just shall live by faith” (see Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38; Galatians 3:11–12; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 2:20; James 2:22; James 2:26). We also please God by walking in faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). This means trusting God in every decision, direction, and destination in life, believing He will guide our steps along the straight path, and acknowledging Him daily in all our ways.
Blessing Results from Faith
Before we look at blessings resulting from faith, let’s lay out a fundamental aspect of faith regarding the Word of God.
Again, Jesus, being the Word of God, is indeed the author and finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2). We obtain faith by the hearing of the Word of God (see Romans 10:17). We also come to understand that the world was created by the Word of God, by faith in things we see are not made of things which are visible — it takes faith to believe such a truth (see Hebrews 11:3).
Therefore, the evidence of our faith is the Word of God, and hearing the Word of God enables us to respond in faith to God, who rewards those who diligently seek him. This is why the Word of God is so central to believers: it provides truths and serves as the foundation of trust on which to build our faith in Jesus Christ.
Again, there are those who would request signs, like the Jews, in order to believe in God, and there are those who seek wisdom, like the Greeks (1 Corinthians). However, Jesus points out a fact about faith by reminding us that our faith should not be based on supernatural wonders or on supreme wisdom. Instead, our faith should be formed and be firm in the Word of God. As the word of God is the source of faith, the word of God sustains faith, the word of God strengthens faith, and the word of God settles faith.
Now Jesus promises a blessing to those who believe in Him by faith, who have not seen Him, experienced supernatural signs and wonders, or tangible manifestations, but believe on the basis of hearing the gospel of Christ, which has the power to save (see John 20:29).
Therefore, there is a blessing attached to faith. When we come to God by faith, that which only pleases Him, we receive from God (see Mark 11:24; Matthew 21:22).
When we come to God by faith, that which only pleases Him, we receive from God. For example, in the gospels, instances show that people’s faith in Jesus made them well or whole (see Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Luke 17:19; Mark 10:52; Luke 8:48).
Also, according to the faith of people expressed in Jesus, things were done for them (see Matthew 9:29–30; Matthew 15:28).
Finally, when we come to God by faith, that which only pleases Him, we are rewarded (see Hebrews 11:6).
Since faith, as a result of Jesus Christ, is that which only pleases God, let us learn from the disciples and ask the Lord to help us in our unbelief and to increase our faith (Luke 17:5). Such a prayer request must also be made in faith, trusting that God will answer us and do it for us only if we believe, for all things are possible.
Contributor: By Wisdom Grace
